Priscilla Presley Says Elvis' Death Wasn't an Accident; It Was a Suicide

By: Mackenzie Wright | April 9, 2018

When Elvis Presley passed away in 1977 prematurely at the age of 42, it left his many fans absolutely devastated. Elvis was arguably one of the greatest influences on music in the 20th century, and one of the most popular performers to ever live.

His untimely death was a shock, not just to those who loved him as an entertainer, but to the people close to him. At least one person says she wasn't completely surprised, however-- his ex-wife, Priscilla.

Priscilla Presley shared her perspective on the new HBO documentary slated to air on April 14. "Elvis Presley: The Searcher" is a two-part documentary produced with the cooperation of Graceland to bring the public some details about the celebrity's life that have never before been shared with the public.

According to Ms. Presley, Elvis didn't die of an accidental drug overdose. She believes he committed suicide.

Priscilla met Elvis in 1959 when she was only 14 years old, but she made a lasting impression on him. Elvis was 10 years older than her, so her parents weren't thrilled about the romance, but the lovers kept in touch mostly over the phone for the next few years. Priscilla eventually began visiting Elvis, then moved in with his parents to attend school in Memphis. The two were finally married in 1967.

Priscilla and Elvis were divorced in 1973, but the two remained close having joint custody of their only daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, born in 1968.

Elvis died four years later. He was discovered by his girlfriend at the time, Ginger Alden, on the bathroom floor. He was unresponsive and was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

The cause of death was ruled as a heart attack, but it was believed to have been brought on by drug addiction. Elvis had overdosed on barbiturates twice that year.

Priscilla said the drug problem began when Elvis was in the Army, and it was one of the factors in their divorce. "They gave them (drugs) to the soldiers over there to keep them awake. He had maneuvers that he had to do late at night, so the pills were given to the guys and that's how he started," she explains. "And if you take a sleeping pill, you have to do something to get yourself awake. He was in uncharted territory, he truly was, and he did this and tried to do this alone."

For years she said she and others tried to help Elvis quit doing drugs, but the singer was so strong-willed that it was impossible to stop him.

"People there in the inner group did, but you did not tell Elvis Presley what to do. You did not. I mean, you'd be out of there faster than a scratched cat. They would try and no way," she says.

Elvis continued to struggle with addiction to prescription pills for years. He gained a great deal of weight and his health was declining, but he was still pushed to keep touring and working. This caused the King to spiral into a depression.

Priscilla believes the overdoses were a cry for help, and that he finally decided to take his life. She says he 'knew what he was doing'.

The bombshell comes after two letters were unearthed showing the depths of Elvis' depression. The letters were written to Joe Esposito, his road manager. Just months before his death, Elvis wrote 'I'm sick and tired of my life' and 'I need a long rest'.

He also admitted in another letter that he was 'embarrassed' because of his drug habit, which he said he 'can't kick'. He also said that losing Priscilla was the 'greatest mistake of my life' and that he was having a hard time recovering from the loss.